Laon Cathedral Interior

•  The nave interior of Laon Cathedral shows the usual features of an Early Gothic cathedral: a four-part elevation (nave arcade resting on the floor, a tribune gallery on the second level, a blind arcade called a triforium on the third level, and clerestory windows at the top), ribbed groin vaulting in the nave, sexpartite vaulting (6 sections to each vaulting module), and pointed arches. At the east end, you can see the rose window which was to grace all succeeding Gothic churches. The columns of the nave arcade, you will note, are rather heavy and undifferentiated...a striking contrast to High Gothic lean composite columns.